Microphone system for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly ( 10 ) comprises an accessory ( 24 ), a reflective element ( 18 ) and a bezel ( 20 ). The mirror assembly may define portions of a pocket ( 23 ) that at least partially receives and secures the accessory therebetween when the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel. The mirror assembly ( 110 ) may include a microphone ( 124 ) and an acoustic cover ( 126 ) positioned at least partially over one or more inlet ports ( 124   j,    124   k ) of the microphone. The acoustic cover may include an outer air flow limiting layer ( 130   b ) that substantially limits air flow therethrough and a diffusing material ( 130   a ) that may space and support the outer layer from the inlet ports to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the outer layer. An acoustic barrier ( 132 ) may be positioned between a pair of inlet ports of the microphone to enhance the directivity of the microphone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/415,233, filed Oct. 1, 2002 by DeBoer et al.for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ACCESSORY (Attorney DocketDON01P-1026); and Ser. No. 60/429,360, filed Nov. 26, 2002 by Weller forMICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01P-1034), which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a microphone or microphonesor microphone system in a vehicle and, more particularly, to amicrophone or microphones or microphone system in entities that arepositioned in, at or adjacent to an interior rearview mirror assembly ofthe vehicle and/or a windshield electronic module and/or an accessorymodule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interior rearview mirror manufacturers typically manufacture and/orpurchase various components and assemble the components together to makethe mirror assembly. It is often desirable to include accessories, suchas a microphone or microphone module or the like, into the mirrorassembly. The mirror manufacturers thus may manufacture some componentsof the mirror assembly, such as the bezel, housing, support or the like,and purchase the accessory or accessories from a supplier. The mirrormanufacturers may also purchase or make some of the mirror components,such as an electrochromic reflective element assembly or cell with aprinted circuit board mounted on the back of the cell (i.e., anelectrochromic mirror kit). The components and accessories are thentypically assembled by the mirror manufacturer to complete the mirrorassembly in a complete mirror assembly operation. Typically, theelectrochromic kit or the like is positioned at least partially in abezel, which is then attached to the casing of the mirror assembly.However, it is often difficult to assemble the accessory to the mirrorassembly.

It is also known to provide a microphone or microphones in an entitythat is positioned in or adjacent to an interior rearview mirrorassembly, such as in or at the interior rearview mirror assembly itselfor at an accessory module or the like at or around the interior rearviewmirror assembly. The microphone or microphones is/are operable toreceive sound signals, such as for a telecommunications system or thelike. Examples of such microphones and associated sound acquisitionsystems are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003;6,278,377; and 6,420,975, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference. The microphone or microphones may be positioned in theinterior rearview mirror assembly casing or housing or at or in anaccessory module or attachment or the like positioned at or near theinterior rearview mirror assembly. Such a location is typicallypreferred to enhance the effectiveness of the microphone or microphones,since that is typically where a driver may look when speaking.

However, in many vehicles, it is desirable to have a heating,ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system which is selectivelyoperable to blow air forcefully onto the inner surface of the windshieldto defrost or defog the windshield. Such intense air blowing onto thewindshield, and thus generally toward the interior rearview mirrorassembly, may lead to undesired deterioration of the signal to noiseratio of the microphone or microphones positioned at or around theinterior rearview mirror assembly. Systems have been proposed to providean improved signal to noise ratio, such as described in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and 6,420,975, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference. However, it is typicallydesirable to further enhance the performance of the microphone system tofurther reduce the effects of the blower noise on the microphone signal,without adversely affecting the position of the microphone.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a microphone or accessorywhich is positionable in, at or adjacent to an interior rearview mirrorassembly of a vehicle or in or at a windshield electronic module oraccessory module of a vehicle, and which overcomes the abovedisadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interior rearview mirror assemblywhich includes an accessory or microphone pocket for at least partiallyreceiving an accessory or microphone module therein. The pocket isformed by a portion of a plastic printed circuit board mounting orattachment plate and a portion or tab on the bezel of the housing, whichtypically is adjustable about a pivot member or arm, such as disclosedin commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,329,925; 6,172,613; 6,087,953;5,820,097; 5,377,949; and/or 5,330,149, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference. The accessory may be positioned at one portion ofthe mirror assembly, such as in a partial pocket formed on the mountingplate, and then may be secured in place by another portion of the mirrorassembly, such as by overlapping or snapping a bezel portion or tab overthe accessory to secure the accessory within a pocket. The cooperationbetween the structure of the plastic plate and the portion of bezelforms a retaining structure or pocket when the two components arecombined. The accessory may be provided in the pocket as the twocomponents are combined to substantially secure and contain theaccessory within the pocket structure.

The present invention also provides a microphone or microphone assemblyor system positioned at or in or partially in an interior rearviewmirror assembly of a vehicle or at or in or partially in a windshieldelectronic module or accessory module of the vehicle. The microphoneassembly may include a flow diffusing material or combination ofmaterials which functions to accept and diffuse air flow around themicrophone (which may comprise a unidirectional microphone) to minimizethe adverse affect of turbulent air flow at or near the microphone,while providing optimal performance and directivity of the microphone.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an interior rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an accessory, a reflectiveelement and a bezel. The reflective element includes a mounting plate ata rearward surface thereof (by rearward surface, it is meant the surfacethat is opposite the forward surface of the mirror reflective element,where the forward surface is the surface that is viewed by a driver ofthe vehicle). The mounting plate includes a first portion of a pocketfor at least partially receiving the accessory therein. The bezel atleast partially receives the reflective element therein and includes asecond portion of the pocket. The first and second portions of thepocket at least partially receive and secure the accessory therebetweenwhen the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel.

The accessory may be electrically connected to a circuit board mountedto the mounting plate and the bezel may be secured to a rearward casingor housing portion to assemble the reflective element, mounting plate,accessory and printed circuit board at least partially within the mirrorassembly. Preferably, the accessory comprises a microphone module.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an interior mirrorassembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element having a mountingplate or attachment plate at a rearward surface thereof. The mountingplate includes a platform or partial pocket extending therefrom for atleast partially receiving an accessory therein. The mirror assemblyincludes a bezel portion which at least partially receives thereflective element. The bezel portion includes an accessory tab whichextends rearwardly therefrom. The accessory tab extends in anoverlapping relationship with the accessory within the partial pocket ofthe mounting plate as the reflective element is at least partiallyreceived in or assembled to the bezel portion, thereby securing theaccessory within a pocket defined by and between the partial pocket ofthe mounting plate and the accessory tab.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an interiorrearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element orreflective element assembly having a mounting plate or attachment plateat a rearward surface thereof. The mounting plate includes a platform orpartial pocket extending therefrom for at least partially receiving anaccessory therein. The mirror assembly includes a bezel portion which atleast partially receives the reflective element assembly. The accessorymodule includes a receiving element, such as a slot or groove or channelor the like, that is configured to receive the bezel edge when theaccessory is positioned at the partial pocket and the reflective elementassembly is received by the bezel portion. The bezel and the accessorycreate an overlapping relationship with the accessory within the partialpocket of the mounting plate as the reflective element assembly is atleast partially received in or assembled to the bezel portion, therebysecuring the accessory within a pocket defined by and between thepartial pocket of the mounting plate and the bezel portion. The pocketis completed by the case which extends over a rear edge of the accessoryto substantially secure accessory between the bezel and the casing ofthe mirror assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forassembling an interior rearview mirror assembly comprises providing abezel portion with a first portion of an accessory pocket and providinga reflective element with a mounting plate or attachment plate on a rearsurface thereof. The mounting plate includes a second portion of theaccessory pocket. An accessory is positioned at one of the first andsecond portions of the accessory pocket. The reflective element isassembled to the bezel portion, whereby the accessory is at leastpartially received and retained between the first and second portions asthe reflective element is assembled to the bezel portion.

Optionally, the reflective element assembly with the mounting plate canbe assembled to the bezel. The accessory or microphone may be installedinto the pocket formed by the bezel and mounting plate. The accessorymay thus be held in position until the mirror case is installed over theback or rear of the bezel, thereby trapping the accessory or microphonein the pocket and generally between the bezel portion and the mirrorcase.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an interiorrearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirrorassembly, at least one microphone, an acoustic cover and an acousticbarrier. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a reflectiveelement and a casing and is adapted for attachment to an interiorportion of the vehicle. The at least one microphone is positioned in, ator adjacent to the interior rearview mirror assembly and has first andsecond inlet ports for receiving audible signals from within the vehiclecabin. The acoustic cover is positioned over the first and second inletports of the at least one microphone. The acoustic cover comprises anouter air flow limiting layer or canopy and at least one inner air flowlimiting layer or cover. The at least one inner air flow limiting layeris disposed at the first and second inlet ports and the outer air flowlimiting layer is spaced from the at least one inner air flow limitinglayer and defines a space between the air flow limiting layers. Theouter air flow limiting layer and the at least one inner air flowlimiting layer are configured to substantially limit air flowtherethrough. The acoustic barrier is positioned across the microphoneand between the first and second inlet ports. The acoustic barrier maybe configured to substantially acoustically isolate the first inlet portfrom the second inlet port.

The acoustic cover may comprise an outer rigid cover, with the outer airflow limiting layer attached to the outer rigid cover. The acousticbarrier may define a gap between a distal end of the acoustic barrierfrom the microphone and an inner surface of the outer air flow limitinglayer. The space between the inner and outer air flow limiting layersmay comprise a diffusing material for diffusing air flow that permeatesthe outer air flow limiting layer, or may comprise air. The outer airflow limiting layer may comprise a hydrophobic characteristic.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an interiorrearview mirror system of a vehicle comprises an interior rearviewmirror assembly, at least one microphone, and preferably a directionalmicrophone, positioned at the interior rearview mirror assembly, and anacoustic cover. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises areflective element and a casing adapted for mounting to an interiorportion of the vehicle (such as a windshield portion or a headerportion). The directional microphone preferably includes at least oneinlet port (and preferably two separated inlet ports) for receivingaudible signals from within the vehicle cabin. The acoustic cover ispositioned at least partially over the inlet port or ports of thedirectional microphone and comprises a diffusing material and an airflow limiting material positioned at least partially over the diffusingmaterial. The air flow limiting material is configured to substantiallylimit air flow through the air flow limiting material, while thediffusing material is configured to space and support the air flowlimiting material from the inlet port or ports and to substantiallydiffuse air flow that penetrates the air flow limiting material.

The directional microphone may have separated inlet ports for receivingsignals from within the vehicle cabin. The mirror system may include anacoustic barrier positioned between the inlet ports of the directionalmicrophone to enhance the directivity of the microphone.

The microphone may be positioned at or between the bezel and the rearhousing of the interior rearview mirror assembly, which typically isadjustable about a pivot member or arm, such as disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,329,925; 6,172,613; 6,087,953; 5,820,097;5,377,949; and/or 5,330,149, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference. The microphone or other accessory may be electricallyconnected to a circuit board mounted or positioned at the reflectiveelement and within the mirror assembly or within an attachment or moduleat or near the mirror assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an interiorrearview mirror system of a vehicle comprises an interior rearviewmirror assembly and a microphone system. The interior rearview mirrorassembly comprises a reflective element and a casing or housing and isadapted to mount to an interior portion of the vehicle (such as awindshield portion or a header portion or a console or the like). Themicrophone system is positioned at, near or partially within theinterior rearview mirror assembly and comprises a directional microphonehaving separated inlet ports for receiving audible signals from withinthe vehicle cabin, a diffuser and an acoustic barrier. The diffuser ispositioned at least partially over the inlet ports of the directionalmicrophone. The diffuser is configured to substantially diffuse air flowaround the inlet ports. The acoustic barrier is positioned between theinlet ports and is configured to substantially acoustically isolate oneof the inlet ports from the other of the inlet ports. The diffuser ispositioned at both sides of the acoustic barrier and over the respectiveinlet ports to diffuse air flow at both sides of the acoustic barrier. Asound signal travels through the diffuser. The acoustic barrier isadapted to delay reception of the sound signal by one of the inlet portsrelative to the other of the inlet ports.

The microphone system of the present invention may be positioned at aninterior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, the microphone system ofthe present invention may be positioned elsewhere, such as at anaccessory module of the vehicle, such as a windshield electronic moduleor a windshield integration module or the like, without affecting thescope of the present invention.

For example, and according to another aspect of the present invention, amicrophone system of a vehicle may comprise a windshield electronicmodule or windshield accessory module having a housing, at least onemicrophone, such as a directional microphone, positioned in, at orpartially within the housing, and an acoustic cover. The microphoneincludes at least one inlet port, and preferably separated inlet ports,for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin. Theacoustic cover is positioned at least partially over the inlet ports ofthe directional microphone and comprises a diffusing material and anouter air flow limiting layer or material or skin material positioned atleast partially over the diffusing material. The air flow limitingmaterial is configured to substantially limit air flow through the airflow limiting material, while the diffusing material is configured tospace and support the air flow limiting material from the inlet portsand to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the air flowlimiting material. The windshield accessory module may have at least aportion at, and with a view towards, the windshield of the vehicle.

Optionally, a microphone system in accordance with the present inventionmay be included in or at an accessory module positioned at an interiorrearview mirror assembly, positioned adjacent to an interior rearviewmirror assembly, included in an attachment to an interior rearviewmirror assembly, and/or associated with an interior rearview mirrorassembly and/or the like, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. It is further envisioned that the benefits of the presentinvention may be achieved for a microphone, microphones or a microphonearray or the like located elsewhere in the vehicle, such as at a headerportion of the vehicle or at a header console or the like, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. The microphone ormicrophones or microphone sensors or elements or arrays may bepositioned at an upper portion of the mirror assembly or module orattachment, or may be positioned elsewhere at the mirror assembly,accessory module or attachment, such as a lower portion or side portionor the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention provides a microphone assembly orsystem which is operable to substantially diffuse turbulent air flowaround the microphone while providing for a directional microphonesystem. The air flow limiting material or skin material functions tolimit the affects of turbulence by creating a buffer zone andmaintaining the pressure affects out away from the microphone, while thediffusing material diffuses the air flow that does penetrate the skinmaterial. The air flow limiting material thus substantially reduces theturbulence affects while minimizing the size of the diffusing member, inorder to enhance the aesthetic quality or styling of the microphoneassembly or system. The acoustic barrier or rib or dividing memberfunctions to delay the diffused sound waves traveling along and throughthe diffusing material so as to have the waves influence the primary andsecondary ports of the microphone at different times, thereby enhancingthe directivity of the microphone. The present invention thus mayfunction to substantially physically isolate one side of the microphonefrom the other via a mechanical baffle or acoustic barrier or wallbetween the fore and aft ports of the microphone. The microphone, systemor assembly of the present invention thus accepts and substantiallydiffuses turbulent air around the microphone.

The present invention also provides an improved mounting structure forpositioning and mounting an accessory, such as a microphone module, atleast partially within the interior rearview mirror assembly. The firstportion of the pocket on the mounting plate of the reflective elementand the second portion of the pocket on the bezel combine or cooperateto form the pocket for at least partially receiving and retaining theaccessory. By forming a portion of the pocket on one part, and forminganother portion of the pocket on the other part, the present inventionallows the parts (and the pocket) to come together at the right timeduring the manufacture or assembly of the mirror assembly, when themicrophone module or accessory is provided to the mirror assembly. Ifthe pocket were provided on a single component, the microphone modulemay not be readily installed or inserted therein.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the study of thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an interior rearview mirrorassembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a microphone module usefulwith the present invention;

FIGS. 3B-D are side elevations and a top plan view of the assembledmicrophone module of FIG. 3A, without the rubber grommet;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a bezel and reflectiveelement assembly of the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 2,showing the accessory partially within a pocket;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the rear portion of the bezel andreflective element assembly of the interior rearview mirror assembly ofFIGS. 2 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rear portion of the bezel and reflectiveelement assembly of the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIGS. 2, 4and 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the mirror assembly taken along the lineVII-VII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is another sectional view of the mirror assembly taken along theline VIII-VIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the accessory and pocket shownin FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the mirror assembly taken along the lineX-X of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the accessory and pocket shownin FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another interior rearview mirrorassembly with a microphone module or assembly in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 12, with the outer housing and diffuser of themicrophone assembly removed to show additional details;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the mirror assembly and microphoneassembly, taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is another sectional view similar to FIG. 14, but of anotherembodiment of a microphone assembly in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a microphone module useful with themicrophone assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of another interior rearview mirror assemblyin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a sideward sectional view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a forward sectional view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIGS. 17 and 18, taken generally through a forward portionof the microphone module;

FIG. 20 is another forward sectional view of the interior rearviewmirror assembly of FIGS. 17-19, taken generally through a rearwardportion of the microphone module;

FIGS. 21-26 are sectional views of various microphone assemblies inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an interior rearview mirror assembly 10 is mounted to amounting arm 12 and mounting base portion 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which maybe mounted at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle (notshown). Mirror assembly 10 includes a housing or casing 16, a reflectiveelement or reflective element assembly or cell 18, and a bezel 20. Amounting plate or attachment plate 22 is positioned on a rear surface 18a (FIGS. 4-10) of reflective element assembly 18 and includes a partialpocket or platform 23 which combines with an accessory tab 21 of bezel20 to define an accessory pocket for at least partially receiving anaccessory 24 therein, as discussed below.

Accessory 24 may be a microphone module or assembly or the like forreceiving audio or voice signals from within the cabin of the vehicle.The microphone module may be part of a voice acquisition system, atelecommunication system, a telematics system or the like, and may be ofthe types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377 and6,420,975, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Themicrophone module may include a single microphone sensor or element ormay include a plurality of microphone sensors or elements, such as a twoelement microphone sensor array or a four element microphone sensorarray or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.The term microphone or microphone module or the like as used herein isintended to encompass any microphone or microphone assembly or modulehaving a single microphone element or sensor or a plurality ofmicrophone sensors or elements, such as a two element array or a fourelement array or the like.

Microphone module 24 includes a wire or connector 24 a extendingtherefrom for electrically connecting microphone module 24 to a printedcircuit board 26 mounted on mounting plate 22. Microphone module 24includes a housing portion 24 b, which substantially encases an audioreceiving portion or microphone sensing element 24 c (or multiplemicrophone sensing elements such as in a microphone array), anelectronic circuit board 24 d, a microphone boot 24 e and a wind screen24 f and weather barrier 24 g, as best shown in FIGS. 3A-D. The boot 24e and microphone sensing element 24 c are positioned within a protrudingportion 24 h of housing 24 b, such that the microphone sensing element24 c may be positioned toward an outer surface of the mirror assemblywhen the microphone module 24 is assembled to the mirror assembly, asdiscussed below. The microphone module 24 thus preferably forms a small,unitary or stand alone microphone module which may be purchasedseparately by the mirror manufacturer and provided to or assembled inthe mirror assembly by the mirror manufacturer, as discussed below.

The microphone module 24 may be received within a flexible rubbergrommet 25, which substantially encases the housing portion 24 b ofmicrophone module 24 and functions to flexibly engage the walls of thepartial pocket 23 and/or the accessory tab 21 to snugly securemicrophone module 24 within the pocket, as discussed below. Grommet 25preferably includes a plurality of wipers or ridges or ribs 25 d, 25 e,25 f extending from an upper surface 25 a, ends 25 b and rear side 25 c,respectively, for flexible engagement with the accessory tab 21, theside walls 23 b of partial pocket 23 and/or the casing 16 of mirrorassembly 10, as discussed below. The ridges 25 a, 25 b, 25 c may be softpliable ridges which flex and/or compress when they come in contact withthe respective engaging surfaces, so as to substantially retainmicrophone module 24 in position within the pocket. The wipers or ridgesof grommet 25 may provide vibration dampening.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly 10 comprises anelectrochromic mirror assembly and includes an electrochromic reflectiveelement assembly or cell 18. The electrochromic reflective elementassembly 18 may be purchased by the mirror manufacturer as a kit 19,which includes the mounting plate 22 and circuit board 26 mountedthereon. The reflective element kit 19 may then be dropped into orinstalled into the bezel 20 to form a bezel assembly 30 (FIGS. 2 and4-6), which is then snapped or otherwise secured to the casing 16 ofmirror assembly 10 or vice versa. The microphone module 24 may beprovided between the partial pocket 23 of mounting plate 22 and theaccessory tab 21 of bezel 20 as the reflective element kit 19 is atleast partially received in the bezel, whereby the structures of themounting plate and bezel cooperate to substantially retain and securethe microphone module therebetween, as discussed below. Bezel assembly30 thus may include the bezel 20, the reflective element assembly 18,the mounting plate 22, the microphone module 24 and a printed circuitboard 26.

Mounting plate 22 may comprise a generally planar, plastic plate whichmay be secured, such as by suitable adhesives or the like, to rearsurface 18a of the reflective element assembly 18. A layer of tape oradhesive 27 (FIG. 2) may be applied to the rear surface 18 a of thereflective element assembly between reflective element assembly 18 andmounting plate 22. Partial pocket 23 extends rearwardly from mountingplate 22 along an upper or lower edge of mounting plate 22. In theillustrated embodiment, the partial pocket 23 extends from an upper edge22 a of mounting plate 22 such that microphone module 24 is positionedalong an upper surface of the mirror assembly 10. However, the partialpocket may be formed along a lower edge of the mounting plate or evenalong one or both sides of the mounting plate to position the microphonemodule or accessory elsewhere around the mounting plate, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Mounting plate 22typically has snaps or clips 22 b for mounting a printed circuit board26 (PCB) offset or stood off from the rear surface of the mountingplate, as discussed below.

Partial pocket 23 includes a base portion or surface 23 a and a pair ofopposite side walls 23 b extending upward from base portion 23 a. Therear surface 18 a of reflective element assembly 18 defines a third wallof partial pocket 23 when mounting plate 22 is secured to reflectiveelement assembly 18 (however, a surface of mounting plate 22 may providethe third wall of the pocket, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention). As best seen in FIG. 5, microphone module 24 rests withinthe partial pocket 23, whereby connector 24 a extends toward and mayconnect to a connector or socket 26 a of a printed circuit board 26,discussed below. The ridge 25 e of at least one end 25 b of grommet 25flexibly and/or compressibly engages at least one side wall 23 b ofpartial pocket 23, while the forward surface or wall 25 g may besubstantially flat and may compress as the grommet presses against rearsurface 18 a of reflective element assembly 18, in response tomicrophone module 24 being inserted into partial pocket 23. Themicrophone module 24 is thus retained within the partial pocket 23, suchthat the microphone module 24 is in the proper position during assemblyof the reflective element and mounting plate to the bezel 20, wherebythe microphone module will be further positively retained by theaccessory tab 21 of the bezel 20, as discussed below.

Accessory tab 21 of bezel 20 extends rearward (away from the viewablesurface of the mirror assembly) from an upper rim or portion 20 a ofbezel 20. Tab 21 provides an aperture or opening 21 a therethrough forreceiving the protruding portion 24 h of microphone housing 24 b whenreflective element assembly 18 and mounting plate 22 are secured tobezel 20, with microphone module 24 positioned at least partially withinthe pocket 23. Accessory tab 21 is a thin plastic tab which preferablyflexes to allow insertion of the protruding portion 24 h into theopening 21 a, but is biased to flex back toward its original state toretain the microphone module 24 within the pocket.

As best seen in FIGS. 4-6, microphone module 24 may be retained withinthe pocket or partial pocket 23 by base portion 23 a and accessory tab21, which at least partially receives the microphone sensing element 24c of microphone module 24 through opening 21 a, and flexes down toengage the ridges 25 d of the upper surface or portion 25 a of grommet25 of microphone module 24, in order to positively retain microphonemodule 24 within the pocket. The walls of the opening 21 a and the sidewalls 23 b of partial pocket 23 function to limit or substantiallypreclude lateral movement of microphone module 24 within the pocket.

The reflective element kit 19 preferably includes printed circuit board(PCB) 26 attached to mounting plate 22. An example of such anarrangement as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,245,which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. The printedcircuit board 26 may snap, clip or otherwise attach or fasten to theplastic mounting plate 22 (such as via one or more plastic, flexibletabs or hooks or retainers 22 b extending from mounting plate 22).Preferably, the circuit board 26 is spaced or offset from mounting plate22 via spacers or the like, to allow space for components or circuitryon either side of circuit board 26. Alternately, circuit board 26 may beindependently supported from the reflective element assembly 18 or inthe casing 16. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,996 and5,820,245, and to U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/500,858,filed Sep. 5, 2003 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1112); and Ser. No. 60/471,546, filed May 19,2003 by Uken et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1093), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

The circuit board 26 may support, for example, light emitting diodes(LEDs) 28 a for providing illumination or indicators or for illuminatingindicia on display elements provided on the chin 20 b of the bezel 20 ofthe mirror assembly or display devices provided on the reflectiveelement, or map or dash board lights or the like (FIG. 2). The circuitboard 26 may also or otherwise support, for example, user interfacebuttons or actuators 28 b at the chin 20 b of elsewhere on mirrorassembly 10 for providing control input to the circuit board from adriver or passenger within the cabin of the vehicle. Circuit board 26also includes a connector or plug or socket 26 b for connecting to awiring feed (not shown) from the vehicle wiring to provide power to andcommunication to and from the mirror assembly.

During assembly of mirror assembly 10, microphone module 24 is placed atleast partially in partial pocket 23 and retained therein by ridges 25 eof grommet 25 engaging wall 23 b, while the opposite wall 25 b ofgrommet engages the other wall 23 b of partial pocket or platform 23,thereby limiting movement of microphone module 24 within the partialpocket 23. As the reflective element assembly 18, mounting plate 22 andmicrophone module 24 are at least partially received in or mounted tobezel 20, accessory tab 21 flexes as it engages the protruding portion24 h of microphone module 24, and then snaps or flexes back down asprotruding portion 24 h inserts at least partially through opening 21 aof accessory tab 21. Also, as the reflective element assembly andcircuit board are mounted or attached to bezel 20, the lights, controlsand/or the like on circuit board 26 are aligned with the openings,buttons and/or the like at the chin 20 b of bezel 20. The combinationand cooperation of the accessory tab 21 around protruding portion 24 hof microphone module 24 and the walls 23 b and base 23 a of the mountingplate 22 function to substantially retain microphone module 24 at leastpartially within the bezel assembly 30. Also, the wiring or connector 24a of microphone module 24 may be plugged into or otherwise connected tothe connector or socket 26 a in the printed circuit board 26.

After assembly of the bezel assembly 30 is completed, microphone module24 is substantially retained by the platform or partial pocket 23 of themounting plate 22 and the accessory tab 21 of the bezel 20. The bezelassembly 30 may then be snapped or otherwise secured as a unit to thecasing 16 of mirror assembly 10. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, bezel 20and/or casing 16 may include tabs or hooks or fasteners or the like 20c, 16 b, which provide a snap connection of bezel 20 to casing 16. Asshown in FIG. 2, casing 16 includes a recessed region 16 c for receivingaccessory tab 21, microphone module 24 and partial pocket 23 thereinwhen bezel assembly 30 is secured to casing 16. Accessory tab 21 mayinclude a laterally extending ridge or tab 21 c and the recessed region16 c of casing 16 may include a corresponding groove or tab 16 d (FIGS.7-9) around the outer surface of recessed region 16 c, such that ridge21 c may engage and extend at least partially within groove 16 d whenbezel assembly 30 is mounted to or secured to casing 16, as best shownin FIGS. 7-9. The tongue and groove type interface between accessory tab21 and casing 16 functions to maintain accessory tab 21 in positionrelative to casing 16, such that the accessory tab 21 and microphonemodule 24 may be generally flush with the outer surface of the casing ofthe mirror assembly. Flexible ridge 25 f along rearward side 25 c ofgrommet 25 flexibly engages one or more ribs or surfaces 16 a (FIGS. 2and 8) of casing 16 when bezel 20 is snapped or otherwise secured tocasing 16, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, reflective element assembly or cell 18comprises an electro-optic or electrochromic or variable reflectancereflective element assembly or cell, which includes an electrochromicmedium disposed therein. The electrochromic medium changes color ordarkens in response to electricity or voltage applied to or through theconductive layers at either side of the electrochromic medium. Theelectrochromic medium may be a solid polymer matrix electrochromicmedium, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,306, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein, or other suitable medium, such as aliquid or solid medium or thin film or the like, such as the typesdisclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/793,002, entitledVIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, filed Feb. 26,2001 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663 and5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein, without affecting the scope of the present invention.The electrochromic reflective element assembly may utilize theprinciples disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,140,455;5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264;5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346;5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 or 4,712,879, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference, or as disclosed in thefollowing publications: N. R. Lynam, “Electrochromic AutomotiveDay/Night Mirrors”, SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R.Lynam, “Smart Windows for Automobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications ofChromogenic Materials”, Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devicesfor Transmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Grandquist, EDS.,Optical Engineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein, and in U.S. pat. application, Ser. No. 09/792,002,filed Feb. 26, 2001 by Schofield et al. for VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMSINCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The printed circuit board 26 may include electronic or electricalcircuitry for actuating the variable reflectance of the reflectiveelement assembly and for operating other electrical or electronicfunctions supported in the rearview mirror assembly. The printed circuitboard 26 optionally may include glare sensing and ambient photo sensorsand electrochromic circuitry that automatically dims the reflectivity ofthe electrochromic mirror element or reflective element assembly whenglare conditions are detected, such as at nighttime or the like.

Although shown and described as being an electro-optic or electrochromicreflective element assembly, the reflective element assembly 18 ofmirror assembly 10 may otherwise be a prismatic reflective element,without affecting the scope of the present invention. The prismaticreflective element may comprise a single wedge-shaped substrate or thelike, and may attach a mounting plate and/or circuit board thereon, asis known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, interior rearview mirror assembly 10 mayinclude a pivotable mounting arm 12 which pivotally receives a ballmember 12 a, 12 b therein at each end. However, interior rearview mirrorassembly 10 may otherwise mount to the end of the mirror mount 14,without affecting the scope of the present invention. The mirror andaccessory mounting components may provide a breakaway type connection ormount, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,172,613;6,087,953; 5,820,097; 5,377,949; and/or 5,330,149, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. The interior rearview mirror assemblymay be pivotable about the mounting arm to adjust the reflective elementbetween a daytime position or orientation and a nighttime position ororientation via a flip or toggle assembly or device, such as the typesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,870; and/or U.S. provisionalapplication, Ser. No. 60/500,858, filed Sep. 5, 2003 by Kulas et al. forINTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1112), whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the mirrorassembly may incorporate other aspects, such as those described in U.S.provisional application, Ser. No. 60/471,546, filed May 19, 2003 by Ukenet al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1093),which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Rearview mirror assembly 10 may also include or house a plurality ofelectrical or electronic devices, such as antennas, including globalpositioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas, such as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, displays, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,530,240 and 6,329,925, blind spot detection systems, such as disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 or 5,786,772, transmitters and/or receivers,such as garage door openers, a digital network, such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low head lamp controller, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, avideo device for internal cabin surveillance and/or video telephonefunction, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and 5,877,897, aremote keyless entry receiver, map lights, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; or5,178,448, microphones, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003;6,278,377 and 6,420,975, speakers, a compass, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,924,212 and/or U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/456,599,filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEMWITH COMPASS (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1076), a seat occupancy detector,a trip computer, an ONSTAR® system or the like (with all of theabove-referenced patents and applications commonly assigned to DonnellyCorporation, and with the disclosures of the referenced patents andapplications being hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties).

Therefore, the present invention provides a pocket or retainer for anaccessory or microphone for a mirror assembly which may be preassembledand secured to a bezel assembly, which then may be easily mounted to acasing as a preassembled unit, thereby substantially easing assembly ofthe mirror assembly. The accessory tab of the bezel and the platform ofthe mounting plate of the reflective element kit or assembly combine toform the pocket for at least partially receiving and retaining theaccessory. By providing the retaining portions on two separatecomponents (the bezel and the mounting plate), the present inventionprovides for easy assembly and installation of the microphone modulewithin the pocket, since the pocket is formed when the two componentsare assembled together, and the microphone module is provided betweenthe parts and within the pocket at the time that the two components areassembled together. By forming a portion of the pocket on one part, andforming another portion of the pocket on the other part, the presentinvention allows the parts (and the pocket) to come together at theright time during the manufacture or assembly of the mirror assembly,when the microphone module or accessory is provided to the mirrorassembly. If the pocket were provided on a single component, themicrophone module would not be readily installed or inserted therein.

The accessory or microphone module may be connected to the printedcircuit board (which is preferably also mounted to the mounting plate),such that all connections of the accessory are completed before thecasing of the mirror assembly is attached to the bezel. The bezelassembly may then be easily snapped or otherwise secured to the casingto complete the assembly of the mirror assembly. Preferably, theaccessory includes a soft, flexible grommet or isolator which engagesthe mounting plate, accessory tab, and/or casing to provide securementof the accessory within the mirror assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-16, an interior rearview mirror assembly 110is mounted to a mounting arm 112 and mounting base portion 114 (FIGS. 12and 13), which may be mounted at an interior surface of a windshield ofa vehicle (not shown). Mirror assembly 110 includes a housing or casing116, a reflective element 118, and a bezel 120. A microphone assembly orsystem 122 is positioned at mirror assembly 110, and preferably in or atan upper region of the mirror assembly, such as within an upper portionof mirror assembly 110 as shown in FIGS. 12-14. Microphone assembly 122includes a microphone module 124 (FIG. 14), which preferably comprises adirectional microphone module, and an acoustic cover or diffuser coveror cover assembly 126 positioned over or at least partially over or atleast partially around the microphone module.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, interior rearview mirror assembly 110 mayinclude a pivotable mounting arm 112 which pivotally receives a ballmember therein at each end. However, interior rearview mirror assembly110 may otherwise mount to the end of the mirror mount 114, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. The mirror and accessorymounting components may provide a breakaway type connection or mount,such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,172,613; 6,087,953;5,820,097; 5,377,949; and/or 5,330,149, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Because turbulent air may be present in the area or region immediatelysurrounding microphone module 124, particularly when the windshielddefogger or defroster is activated, and because such turbulent air mayhave an adverse impact on the performance of the microphone module, itis desirable to reduce the affects that such turbulent air has on themicrophone module. It has been proposed or suggested in the art todeflect air away from the microphone sensing elements to reduce theeffects of such turbulence, such as described in InternationalPublication No. WO 01/37519 A2, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. However, such deflectors may be sensitive to wind blowingthrough the vehicle, such as when the windows of the vehicle are open.Such deflectors may also have other disadvantages, particularly anadverse impact of the styling of the interior rearview mirror assembly.In order to avoid such deflectors and the like, the microphone assemblyof the present invention includes diffuser cover 126 positioned at theouter end of the microphone module 124 to accept and diffuse theturbulent air flow in the vicinity of the microphone without adverselyaffecting the performance of the microphone and while providing thedesired directivity of the microphone assembly or system, as discussedbelow.

Microphone module 124 is operable to receive audio or voice signals fromwithin the cabin of the vehicle. The microphone module may provide soundcapture for a voice acquisition system, a telecommunication system, atelematics system or the like, such as for a hands free cell phonesystem, an audio recording system and/or an emergency communicationsystem, and may be of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003;6,278,377 and 6,420,975, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference. Microphone module 124 includes a wire or connector 124 aextending therefrom for electrically connecting microphone module 124 toa printed circuit board (not shown in FIGS. 12-16), which may bepositioned within mirror assembly 110. However, although shown anddescribed as being positioned at and partially within the interiorrearview mirror assembly 110, the microphone assembly 122 and/or anyassociated circuitry or circuit board may be positioned adjacent to theinterior rearview mirror assembly, or may be included in an attachmentto the interior rearview mirror assembly, or may be included in a moduleassociated with the interior rearview mirror assembly, or may beincluded in a windshield electronic module or the like, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

Microphone module 124 may comprise a generally unidirectional microphonewhich is operable to receive audible signals from the cabin of thevehicle, such as from the driver and/or passenger areas, whilesubstantially filtering or canceling out audible signals from otherareas, such as from the windshield area of the vehicle. Microphonemodule 124 may be positioned at least partially within the mirror casing116, and may be positioned at the junction of the bezel 120 and themirror casing 116, such as in a manner similar to the microphone modulemounting pocket described above with respect to mirror assembly 10and/or as described below with respect to mirror assembly 110′.Optionally, microphone module 124 may be positioned within a cavityformed in casing 116, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

Microphone module 124 includes a housing portion 124 b, whichsubstantially encases an audio receiving portion or microphone sensingelement 124 c (or multiple microphone sensing elements, such as amicrophone array), an electronic circuit board 124 d, a rubber orplastic or elastomeric microphone boot or body 124 e around sensingelement 124 c, and a wind screen 124 f and weather barrier 124 g, asbest shown in FIG. 16. Microphone module 124 may utilize aspects ofother microphones or modules, such as accessory modules of the typesdisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and6,420,975, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Protrudingportion 124 h provides a plurality of holes or apertures at a cover orend 124 i for receiving sound or audible signals therethrough. Themicrophone module 124 thus may form a small, unitary or stand alonemicrophone module which may be purchased separately by the mirrormanufacturer and provided to or assembled in the mirror assembly by themirror manufacturer, as discussed below.

Microphone module 124 may comprise a directional microphone, whichprovides selective pickup of audible signals. The microphone module thusmay provide for an improved signal to noise ratio by receiving signalsfrom a preferred direction and substantially ignoring or filtering orcanceling out signals from other directions. Microphone module 124 mayprovide an acoustic porting system, whereby boot 124 e may define aprimary port or channel 124 j positioned toward the reflective elementof the mirror assembly and a secondary port or channel 124 k positionedtoward the mirror mount or windshield, as can be seen in FIG. 14. Theports or channels 124 j, 124 k are formed in the rubber or plastic boot124 e around the sensing element 124 c, such that when boot 124 e ispressed into housing 124 b, the ports or channels 124 j, 124 k aresubstantially isolated or sealed from one another and connect betweenthe outer end of the microphone module (at the cover 124 i) and arespective port (not shown) at the sensing element 124 c.

The boot 124 e and microphone sensing element 124 c are positionedwithin a protruding portion 124 h of housing 124 b, such that themicrophone sensing element 124 c may be positioned toward an outersurface of the mirror assembly when the microphone module 124 isassembled to the mirror assembly, as discussed below. Weather barrier124 g is positioned or pressed between cover 124 i and boot 124 e andfunctions to substantially preclude liquids and/or other contaminantsfrom reaching the isolated ports 124 j, 124 k of microphone module 124.Preferably, weather barrier 124 g comprises a hydrophobic material whichis also substantially acoustically transparent, so as to not adverselyaffect the sound signals received by microphone module 124. Use of suchhydrophobic materials have long been known and used in the microphoneart. Alternately, the weather barrier may comprise a hydrophilicmaterial, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, microphone module 124 may be operable to at leastsubstantially negate or null or cancel sound signals originating fromareas forward of the microphone module (on the side of the secondaryport or channel 124 k) in response to a time delay between receivingsignals at the respective ports and via known circuitry and methods. Forexample, as sound waves originating from the cabin of the vehicle travelover mirror assembly 110 and toward and over microphone module 124, thesound signals will pressurize primary port 124 j first and thensecondary port 124 k slightly after primary port 124 j. However, if thesound signals are traveling the opposite direction (from the windshieldof the vehicle), the sound signal will reach and pressurize thesecondary port slightly before the primary port. The acousticconstruction of microphone module 124 creates or provides at least asubstantial null for signals originating at the windshield (which reachand pressurize the secondary port before the primary port), whilereceiving and recognizing and processing signals received from withinthe cabin of the vehicle, such as from a driver or passenger area withinthe cabin of the vehicle. The microphone circuitry may process andamplify the signals received (such as by noise canceling, filtering, orotherwise discriminating vocal signals indicative of a human voice fromnon-vocal signals, such as sound from HVAC blowers, turn signals, windnoise and the like) as is known in the microphone art, to provide anoutput indicative of the received signals. The microphone module 124thus may receive sound signals or audible signals in a cardioid,super-cardioid or hyper-cardioid directional polar pattern of soundsignals, whereby the microphone module substantially negates or cancelsout signals coming from forward of the microphone module, such as fromthe windshield area of the vehicle.

Acoustic or diffuser cover 126 of microphone assembly 122 includes anouter casing or protective shell or cage 128 and an acoustic ordiffusing member 130 positioned within shell 128 and between shell 128and microphone module 124. Casing or shell 128 comprises a substantiallyrigid plastic or metallic structure over and around microphone module124 and diffusing member 130 to protect diffusing member 130 fromdeformation or damage. Although shown as an outer structure or cage typestructure around diffusing member 130, shell 128 may be integrallyformed within diffusing member 130, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention.

Diffusing member 130 is positioned at least partially over andpreferably at least substantially over cover 124 i of microphone module124 and functions to substantially diffuse turbulence which may occuraround microphone module 124 (such as when the windshield defogger ordefroster is activated), while allowing sound waves or audible signalsto be received properly by the ports 124 j, 124 k, as discussed below.Diffusing member 130 comprises a porous diffusing material 130 a, suchas a low density foam material or a reticulated foam material or porousor low density fibers or fibrous material or the like, and a less porousair flow limiting material or skin or textile or fabric material 130 balong the outer surface of diffusing material 130 a, as shown in FIG.14.

Due to air turbulence which typically occurs along and around thewindshield of a vehicle (particularly when the windshield defogger ordefroster is activated), it is desirable to avoid the localpressurization of the ports 124 j, 124 k, which may result in noise orother unwanted signals being received by the microphone. In order toaccomplish this, the outer air flow limiting material or skin materialor canopy 130 b may be selected to be partially or substantiallyimpervious to air flow, in order to limit the air flow which passesthrough skin material 130 b to diffusing material 130 a. For example,skin material 130 b may comprise a woven, knit or non-woven textile orfabric which provides small or tight pores to limit air passagetherethrough, such as, for example, a polyester material or a polyolefinmaterial, such as a polypropylene material or the like, or a rip-stopnylon material or the like. The selected textile or fabric may includehydrophobic fibers (which may be processed or treated or conditioned tohave or may inherently have hydrophobic characteristics), such aspolypropylene fibers or the like, to provide moisture protection to thediffusing material 130 a and microphone module 124.

Diffusing material 130 a is positioned between the air flow limitingmaterial or skin material or textile canopy 130 b and the microphonemodule 124 and functions to diffuse or reduce the air flow velocity ofair that penetrates skin material 130 b. Diffusing material 130 a maycomprise a highly porous foam material or the like which diffuses airflow therethrough, but which has a low acoustic resistivity so as to notsubstantially adversely affect the acoustic signals being received bythe microphone module 124. The diffusing material 130 a also functionsto create a space between the microphone module 124 and skin material130 b to create a buffer zone so that skin material 130 b and thepressure affects of the turbulent air flow are maintained away from theports 124 j, 124 k of microphone module 124. Diffusing material 130 aalso diffuses any air flow which does pass through or penetrate skinmaterial 130 b, such that the air flow is less turbulent or violent bythe time it reaches the inlet ports 124 j, 124 k of microphone module124.

Accordingly, skin material or canopy 130 b substantially reduces orlimits the air flow which may be received by the ports 124 j, 124 k ofmicrophone module 124, while diffusing material 130 a diffuses the airflow that does penetrate skin material 130 b. Also, because skinmaterial 130 b substantially reduces the air flow around the microphonemodule, the skin material facilitates implementation of a small-sizeddiffusing material pad, thereby reducing the overall size of thediffusing member 130 and shell 128 to improve the appearance of theacoustic cover 126 at mirror assembly 110. The particular materials forthe skin material and the diffusing material may be selected to providethe desired acoustic affect at or around the microphone module.

Although diffusing material 130 a is selected to minimize its effect onthe acoustic signals traveling through the diffuser 130, some audiblesignals may be disrupted as they travel through diffuser 130. Suchdisruption may result in some signals (such as traveling from the driveror passenger area of the vehicle) reaching and pressurizing the primaryand secondary ports out of sequence or at substantially the same time.In such situations, the microphone may not recognize the signal asoriginating from the desired area of the cabin of the vehicle, and maythus filter out or ignore such signals. In order to enhance thedirectional capability of microphone module 124, microphone assembly orsystem 122 may include an acoustic barrier or rib or structural divideror dividing member 132 across the outer cover 124 i of microphone module124 and between the inlets to the ports 124 j, 124 k, as best seen withreference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

As shown in FIG. 13, acoustic barrier or rib 132 may extend transverseor across and between the ports 124 j, 124 k of microphone module 124and generally parallel to reflective element 118 of mirror assembly 110.Diffusing material 130 a may comprise two separate sections, with onesection or portion at each side of rib 132, or may comprise a singlepiece of diffusing material with a slit or gap formed therein forreceiving rib 132, in order to limit compression of diffusing material130 a by rib 132, which may affect the porosity and functionality ofdiffusing material 130 a around rib 132. In the illustrated embodiment,rib 132 comprises a plastic rib extending across and above themicrophone embodiment, such as part of the mirror casing 116 or part ofthe microphone assembly or diffuser cover. However, rib 132 may compriseother material and may be otherwise positioned across the outer cover ofmicrophone module 124, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

Acoustic barrier or rib 132 may comprise a material having a highacoustic resistivity so that the sound wave propagating throughdiffusing material 130 a does not travel through rib 132 and, thus, mayhave to travel around or over rib 132 to get from one side of rib 132 tothe other. The acoustic barrier or rib 132 thus creates a longer pathfor the sound waves to travel, such that sound waves traveling throughthe diffusing material and generally toward the windshield of thevehicle will be delayed in reaching the secondary port, whereby themicrophone may recognize the signal as originating from within the cabinor desired area of the vehicle. The acoustic barrier or rib 132 alsodelays sound waves traveling in the opposite direction in a similarmanner.

Because diffusing material 130 a functions to diffuse the air flow andmay correspondingly disrupt some of the sound waves or audible signals,the disrupted sound waves may end up pressurizing both ports 124 j, 124k at approximately or substantially the same time or out of sequence,such that the directivity of microphone module 124 may be adverselyaffected or reduced. Accordingly, acoustic barrier or rib 132 may beprovided to delay the sound waves traveling from the desired area (thecabin of the vehicle and rearward of the mirror assembly) through thediffusing material 130 a. The sound waves traveling through diffusingmaterial 130 a thus pressurize the primary port 124 j first and then maytravel around rib 132 before arriving at and pressurizing the secondaryport or ports 124 k of microphone module 124, while sound wavestraveling in the opposite direction (from the windshield) will arrive atand pressurize the secondary port or ports 124 k before arriving at andpressurizing the primary port 124 j. The acoustic barrier or rib 132thus may enhance the directivity of microphone module 124 by effectivelyextending the port distance of the microphone module to the outer orupper end of rib 132, whereby sound waves traveling through thediffusing material influence the ports of the microphone module atdifferent times and in the proper sequence.

Optionally, the acoustic or diffuser cover of the present invention maycomprise a heat formed polyolefin material, such as a polypropylenematerial or the like, which is formed into a desired shape. The formedacoustic or diffuser cover may then be positioned within acorrespondingly formed protective shell or case or cage or the like asdiscussed above. Alternately, the formed diffuser cover may comprise astructural formed cover, and may include stiffening or strengtheningstructural members integrated therein, such that the formed diffuser maynot include the protective cover.

Microphone module 124 may be positioned at least partially within themirror assembly 110, such as described above with respect to mirrorassembly 10, or by lowering or placing the microphone module 124 withina pocket or cut-out region formed in the casing and/or between thecasing 116 and bezel 120 of mirror assembly 110, without affecting thescope of the present invention. The microphone module 124 may bereceived within a flexible rubber grommet 125, which substantiallyencases the housing portion 124 b of microphone module 124 and functionsto flexibly engage the walls of a mounting pocket 123 within mirrorassembly 110, such as part of the bezel assembly 120 or the casing 116,to snugly secure microphone module 124 within the pocket when placedtherein and to reduce vibration of the microphone. The outer end orcover 124 i of protruding portion 124 h of microphone module 124 mayextend toward or partially through an opening in the casing, such thatthe outermost portion or cover 124 i of the microphone module 124 isgenerally flush at the upper portion of the casing 116 of mirrorassembly 110, as can be seen in FIG. 13. The acoustic barrier or rib 132may be formed as part of the mirror casing 116 or may be formed as partof the acoustic or diffuser cover 126 or microphone module 124, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Diffuser cover 126 may besnapped or otherwise secured or adhered over microphone module 124 atthe upper portion of mirror assembly 110.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 17-20, the microphone assembly122′ may be pre-assembled and mounted at or partially in the interiorrearview mirror assembly 110′, whereby the microphone assembly 122′ issubstantially secured at the upper region of mirror assembly 110′. Themicrophone module 124′, acoustic barrier 132′ and acoustic or diffusercover 126′ may be positioned as a pre assembled unit partially below thecasing 116′ and bezel 120′ and/or within a pocket 123′ to retain themicrophone module 124′ and diffuser cover 126′ at the mirror assembly110′. Pocket 123′ may be formed or defined by a partial pocket 123 a′defined by a platform or portion of the attachment plate or mountingplate 121 at the rear of the reflective element assembly 118 and anupper retaining portion or pocket portion 120 a′ of bezel portion 120′that may retain the microphone in place or within the partial pocket 123a′ at the bezel portion 120′, as described below. A printed circuitboard 121 a or the like may be attached to or mounted to the attachmentplate 121.

As best shown in FIG. 17, microphone assembly 122′ may include themicrophone module 124′ and the acoustic cover 126′, which may bepre-assembled as a unit and which may include a lead or wire 124 a′extending therefrom for electrically connecting the microphone to thecircuit board when the microphone assembly is positioned at the pocketof the mirror assembly. Microphone module 124′ and acoustic cover 126′(which may include the outer air flow limiting material or skin ortextile layer 130′ and/or the diffuser material within an outerstructure or cage as described above, and which may include an inner airflow limiting material or skin or textile layer, such as described belowwith respect to FIGS. 21-26) may be assembled together.

The microphone assembly 122′ may include outwardly extending flaps orflanges 122 a′, 122 b′ extending from the sides of the microphoneassembly 122′ and defining a receiving portion or groove or slottherebetween. As shown in FIG. 19, lower flap 122 a′ may extend below alip or flange or pocket portion 120 a′ of bezel portion 120′, whileupper flap 122 b′ of microphone assembly 122′ may extend above lip 120a′ of bezel portion 120′ to trap or capture or retain microphoneassembly in partial pocket 123 a′ when the reflective element assembly118 and attachment plate 121′ and circuit board 121 a′ are attached toor received in bezel portion 120′. As can also be seen in FIGS. 17 and19, mirror casing 116′ may define a pocket or recessed portion 116 b′for receiving microphone assembly 122′ therein when casing 116′ isattached to bezel portion 120′. Recessed portion 116 b′ may be definedby an edge portion or flap or flange 116 a′ that may overlap bezelflange portion 120 a′ to further retain microphone assembly 122′ in thepocket 123′ when the casing and bezel portion are secured together. Theflange 116 a′ may at least partially overlap flange 122 a′ along arearward portion of microphone assembly 122′ (as shown in FIG. 20) toretain the microphone assembly within the pocket 123′ rearward from thebezel 120′. As can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 20, partial pocket orplatform 123 a′ of attachment plate 121 may include a notch or cutaway123 b′ around the rear of the platform to accommodate a mounting armreceiving portion 116 c′ of casing 116′ when casing 116′ is attached tobezel 120′ with microphone assembly 122′ secured therebetween.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 18-20, microphone assembly 122′may include an elastomeric or rubber grommet 125′, which may at leastpartially or substantially encase the housing portion or body 124 b′ ofmicrophone module 124′ and may function to flexibly engage the walls ofthe partial pocket 123 a′ and of the attachment plate 121 and of themirror casing 116′, to snugly secure microphone module 124′ within thepocket when placed therein and to reduce vibration of the microphone.For example, a lower portion of grommet 125′ may include one or moreribs 125 a′ (FIGS. 19 and 20) for flexibly and compressibly engagingplatform 123 a′ of attachment plate 121, while a rear portion of thegrommet 125′ may include one or more ribs 125 b′ (FIG. 18) for flexiblyand compressibly engaging the mirror casing 116′ when the casing ispressed against microphone assembly 122′ and bezel portion 120′ toassemble the mirror assembly 110′.

Although shown and described as being positioned at an upper portion ofthe mirror assembly, the microphone system or assembly of the presentinvention may optionally be positioned elsewhere at the mirror casing,such as at an upper portion or eyebrow portion of the mirror casing, ora lower portion of the mirror casing, such as at a lower bezel orgondola portion of the mirror casing or assembly, or at one or bothsides of the mirror casing (such as at the driver side of the mirrorcasing to direct the microphone to receive signals originating from thedriver side of the vehicle cabin), depending on the particularapplication of the microphone system. It is further envisioned that themicrophone system or assembly of the present invention may be positionedadjacent to an interior rearview mirror assembly, or may be included inan attachment to an interior rearview mirror assembly, or may beincluded in a module associated with an interior rearview mirrorassembly, or may be included in a windshield electronic module or thelike, without affecting the scope of the present invention. It isfurther envisioned that the benefits of the present invention may beachieved for a microphone, microphones or a microphone array ormicrophone system or the like located elsewhere in the vehicle, such asat a header portion of the vehicle or at a header console or the like,without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a microphone system 222 may comprise amicrophone module 224 positioned at or partially within interiorrearview mirror assembly 110 and an acoustic or diffuser cover assembly226 positioned over and substantially around microphone module 224.Microphone module 224 is substantially similar to microphone module 124,discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of the microphonemodule will not be repeated herein. Cover assembly 226 may include anouter casing or shell 228 positioned at least partially over andpreferably substantially over and substantially around an acousticand/or diffusing member or layer or layers 230 in a similar manner asshell 128 is positioned over and around diffusing member 130, discussedabove.

Diffusing member 230 comprises a structural cloth or engineered materialwhich comprises a three dimensional woven textile. For example,diffusing member 230 may comprise a tightly woven top surface or airflow limiting layer or skin layer or textile canopy 230 b woven orbonded or adhered to a highly porous diffusing layer 230 a, such as amicro-fiber foam or other foam type material, which may, in turn, bewoven or bonded or adhered to an inner skin layer or air flow limitinglayer or textile cover 230 c, which may be a thin, porous andsubstantially acoustically transparent material to minimize its effecton the microphone system. Such three dimensional woven textiles arecommercially available, such as a form of 3Mesh® available from MullerTextil of Woonsocket, R.I. The outer or top layer 230 b thus mayfunction in a similar manner as skin material 130 b, discussed above,while the diffusing layer 230 a and inner layer 230 c may function in asimilar manner as diffusing material 130 a, discussed above. A slit orgap may be provided across diffusing layer 230 a and inner layer 230 cfor receiving an acoustic barrier or rib or dividing member 232, in asimilar manner as discussed above. Other acoustic and/or diffusingand/or air flow limiting materials or layers may be implemented,depending on the particular application and desired performancecharacteristics of the microphone system, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention.

For example, and with reference to FIGS. 21-26, various embodiments ofmicrophone assemblies with various covers and acoustic barriers areshown. The covers include a rigid plastic or polymeric cover orprotective vented cover or cage or the like and an outer air flowlimiting layer or textile layer or skin material or canopy generally ator along the rigid cover and positioned at least partially over andspaced from the microphone ports. A second or inner air flow limitinglayer or textile layer or skin material (or two pieces of such a textilelayer or skin material) may be positioned generally at or at leastpartially over the entrance to the ports of the directional microphone.The outer air flow limiting canopy (at the protective cover or cage) andthe inner air flow limiting layer (at the entrance to the ports of themicrophone) may be spaced apart to provide a space or mediumtherebetween for the travel or propagation of the air flow and soundwaves that pass through the outer layer or canopy. The space or mediummay comprise air (where the outer skin and inner skin layers areseparated with an air pocket defined therebetween) or may comprise adiffusing material, such as described above with respect to diffuserlayers 130 a, 230 a, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

As described above, the air flow limiting layers may comprise a textileor fabric (such as a non-woven textile or a knit textile or a woventextile) which provides small or tight pores to limit air passagetherethrough and to provide a desired acoustic resistance and airpermeability resistance. The air flow limiting skin or textile materialmay be selected to provide a desired acoustic resistance and physicalresistance to air flow or permeability at the microphone. The air flowlimiting material may comprise, for example, a non-woven textile, suchas a polyester material, such as a spun bond, point bonded polyestermaterial or the like, or a carded polyester material or the like, or apolyolefin material, such as a polypropylene material or the like, or arip-stop nylon material or the like, or other materials, such as a twodimensional cloth like material, such as a thin felt type material thathas no orientation of the fibers, or other similar or suitable materialsor the like. Optionally, the air flow limiting material may comprise awoven or knit textile or the like, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. The material selection may be driven by the desiredacoustic resistance and physical resistance to air permeability for theparticular application of the microphone assembly or system.

The selected textile or fabric or material for at least the outer skinor air flow limiting layer or canopy may include hydrophobic fibers(which may be processed or treated or conditioned to have hydrophobiccharacteristics or which may inherently have hydrophobiccharacteristics), such as polyolefin fibers, such as polypropylenefibers or the like, to provide moisture protection to the skin materialand to the microphone module. Optionally, the outer skin layer maycomprise a UV stabilized/stable material, such as a polyester materialor the like, for enhanced UV tolerance, while the inner skin layer orlayers may comprise a less UV stabilized/stable material (andpotentially a less expensive material), such as a polyolefin material,such as a polypropylene material or the like, since the inner skin layerwill be substantially shielded from UV radiation via the outer skinlayer or canopy.

The inner skin layer or layers may comprise the same textile or fabricmaterial at both ports (and may be a single piece or skin layer thatextends over both ports of the microphone), or the inner skin layers orportions may comprise different textile or fabric materials for eachport. For example, a textile or fabric material or the like havingcertain desired acoustic resistance and air permeability resistanceproperties may be selected for the primary port, while a differenttextile or fabric material or the like having other characteristics orproperties may be selected for the secondary port. The differentmaterials may allow the acoustic resistance and air permeabilityresistance to be engineered or adjusted at each port to provide adesired performance or characteristic of the microphone assembly orsystem.

With reference now to FIG. 21, the microphone assembly 324 may include amicrophone element 324 c and a front port 324 j and rear port 324 kwithin the microphone boot or body 324 e. The cover 326 includes a rigidplastic cover or cage portion 328, which may have an outer air flowlimiting skin or textile layer or material or canopy 330 b along aninner surface of the cage portion 328. Each of the ports 324 j, 324 kmay have an inner air flow limiting skin or textile layer or material330 c, 330 d disposed at the entrance to the front and rear ports,respectively. The inner air flow limiting layer may be positionedoutside of the vented cover (such as cover 124 i discussed above) orinside the cover at the entrance to the ports, without affecting thescope of the present invention.

The outer air flow limiting layer 330 b and inner air flow limitinglayer or layers 330 c, 330 d may be spaced apart to define anintermediate space or medium or layer 330 a therebetween. Theintermediate layer 330 a may comprise an air pocket between the outerair flow limiting layer 330 b and the microphone body 324 b and innerlayers 330 c, 330 d, or may comprise a diffusing material, such as afoam material or woven or non-woven fibrous material or the like, suchas described above with respect to diffusing layers 130 a, 230 a.Optionally, and as described above, the layers 330 b, 330 a and 330 c,330 d may define a three dimensional textile that has a tightly wovenouter surface or air flow limiting layer that is woven or bonded oradhered to a highly porous intermediate diffusing layer, such as amicro-fiber foam or other foam type material, which is in turn woven orbonded or adhered to an inner air flow limiting layer, without affectingthe scope of the present invention.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 22, the microphone assembly 324′ mayinclude an acoustic barrier or rib 332 that extends along the microphonebody 324 e′ and between the entrances to the ports 324 j, 324 k, such asdescribed above with respect to acoustic barrier or ribs 132, 232.Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 23, the microphone assembly 324″ mayinclude a pair of acoustic barriers or ribs 332 a, 332 b that extendalong the microphone body 324 e″ and between the ports 324 j, 324 k andnear or adjacent to a respective one of the ports. Optionally, and asshown in FIG. 24, the microphone assembly 324″ may include a ramped orsloped or wedge-shaped acoustic barrier or rib 332′ that extends alongthe microphone body 324 e′″ and between the entrances to the ports 324j, 324 k. Other forms or shapes of acoustic barriers or ribs may beimplemented without affecting the scope of the present invention.

In each illustrated application, the acoustic barrier defines at leastone gap 333 between the upper end or distal end of the acoustic barrierand the lower or inner surface of the outer air flow limiting layer 330b. The gap 333 provides a passageway for air flow to allow quickpressure balancing between the ports when air flows in at one side ofthe microphone assembly. The acoustic barrier thus separates the portsand provides a leakage path or a low resistance relief valve between theports. In an exemplary embodiment, the gap may be approximately onemillimeter between the canopy and the acoustic barrier, but otherdimensions may be selected depending on the particular application,without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 25, the microphone assembly 424may include a microphone body 424 e that has a curved outer surface 424e′. The microphone assembly 424 may include an electronic microphoneelement 424 c and a front port 424 j and a rear port 424 k extendingbetween respective portions of microphone element 424 c and the outercurved surface 424 b′ of microphone body 424 b. Microphone assembly 424includes a cover 426, which may include an outer rigid plastic coverportion 428 or the like and an outer air flow limiting skin or textilelayer or material or canopy 420 b at the cover portion 428. An inner airflow limiting skin or layer portion or portions 430 c, 430 d may beprovided at the entrances to the ports 424 j, 424 k in a similar manneras described above.

The entrances to the ports 424 j, 424 k may be at the sloped or curvedouter surface 424 e′. In such an application, it is envisioned that anymoisture that may pass through the outer skin layer 430 b may accumulateor collect at the outer portion or region 424 e″ of microphone body 424e and thus may be collected and kept away from the microphone ports 424j, 424 k, such that the moisture may not enter the ports and thus maynot adversely affect the performance of the microphone. Optionally, theouter surface of the microphone body may be substantially flat (such asshown in FIGS. 21-24), but one or more recesses or channels or pocketsor wells may be formed away from the ports to collect moisture orcondensation at a location remote from the parts, without affecting thescope of the present invention. Optionally, the curved outer surface 424e′ may be curved to form or define a raised acoustic barrier or rib 432that extends between the ports 424 j, 424 k and along the curved surface424 e′ of microphone body 424 e. The acoustic barrier or rib 432 maydefine a gap 433 between an outer or distal end of the rib and the innersurface of the outer skin or textile layer 430 b in a similar manner asdescribed above.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 26, the microphone assembly 524may be formed to correspond with the general shape of the portion of themirror assembly or accessory module to which the microphone assembly isto be attached. For example, the microphone assembly 524 may include amicrophone body 524 e that has a curved outer surface 524 e′ that may benon-symmetrical or non-spherical, such as with a portion (at the primaryport 524 j) being raised relative to the other portion (at the secondaryport 524 k). The acoustic cover 526 may include a rigid protective coverportion 528 and an outer air flow limiting skin or textile layer 530 bthat may be generally correspondingly formed or contoured to provide thedesired shape or appearance to the microphone assembly. Optionally, thecover portion 528 may be aerodynamically formed or shaped and may havereduced and rounded edges to reduce or minimize sharp edges that maycause turbulent air around the microphone and that may thus adverselyaffect the performance of the microphone. The inner air flow limitingskin layers or portions 530 c, 530 d may be disposed at the respectiveports 524 j, 524 k, and the outer curved surface 524 e′ of microphonebody 524 e may be formed to define a raised acoustic barrier or rib 532between the skin portions 530 c, 530 d and ports 524 j, 524 k. Asdiscussed above, the rib 532 may define a gap 533 between the upper endof the rib and the lower surface of the outer skin or textile layer 530b of cover 526.

The microphone assembly or system of the present invention thus providesan outer air flow limiting skin or textile or fabric layer or materialor canopy that is spaced from the ports of the microphone tosubstantially reduce or limit the air flow that may be received by theports. The microphone may include a second air flow limiting skin ortextile or fabric layer that is disposed at the entrances to the portsand that is spaced from the outer layer or canopy. The space definedbetween the air flow limiting layers may comprise an air pocket or maycomprise a diffusing material, such as a porous material or the like.The microphone assembly may include an acoustic barrier between themicrophone ports and spaced from the outer layer or canopy to enhancethe directivity and performance of the microphone.

Therefore, the present invention provides a microphone assembly orsystem which functions to substantially diffuse turbulent air flowaround the microphone while providing for a directional microphonesystem. The air flow limiting skin material limits the affects ofturbulence by creating a buffer zone and maintaining the pressureaffects out away from the microphone, while the diffusing materialdiffuses the air flow that does penetrate the skin material. The airflow limiting material thus substantially reduces the turbulence affectswhile minimizing the size of the diffusing member, in order to enhancethe aesthetic quality of the microphone assembly or system. An acousticbarrier or rib or dividing member may delay the disrupted sound wavestraveling along and through the diffusing material so as to have thewaves influence the primary and secondary ports of the microphone atdifferent times, thereby enhancing the directivity of the microphone.The present invention thus substantially physically isolates one side orport of the microphone from the other via a mechanical baffle oracoustic barrier or wall between the fore and aft ports of themicrophone. The microphone system or assembly of the present inventionthus accepts and substantially diffuses turbulent air around themicrophone and provides improved wind performance when the source of thewind is not from the windshield area or back of the mirror (such as whenthe windows of the vehicle are open), while avoiding any unsightlydeflectors and the like of the prior art.

The microphone module of the present invention may electrically connectto a printed circuit board (PCB) attached to a mounting plate of thereflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. An exampleof such a mounting plate and circuit board arrangement is disclosed incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,245, which is incorporated in itsentirety by reference herein. The printed circuit board may snap, clipor otherwise attach or fasten to the plastic mounting plate (such as viaone or more plastic, flexible tabs or hooks or retainers extending fromthe mounting plate). Preferably, the circuit board is spaced or offsetfrom the mounting plate via spacers or the like, to allow space forcomponents or circuitry on either side of the circuit board.Alternately, the circuit board may be independently supported from thereflective element or in the casing, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,996 and5,820,245, and to U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/500,858,filed Sep. 5, 2003 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1112); and Ser. No. 60/471,546, filed May 19,2003 by Uken et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1093), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

The circuit board may support, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs)(such as light sources 134 of mirror assembly 110 in FIG. 13) forproviding illumination or indicators or for illuminating indicia ondisplay elements provided on the chin 120 a of the bezel 120 of themirror assembly or display devices provided on the reflective element,or map or dash board lights or the like. The circuit board may also orotherwise support, for example, user interface buttons or actuators 136at the chin 120 a or elsewhere on mirror assembly 110 for providingcontrol input to the circuit board from a driver or passenger within thecabin of the vehicle. The circuit board may also include a connector orplug or socket for connecting to a wiring feed (not shown) from thevehicle wiring to provide power to and communication to and from themirror assembly.

Optionally, the reflective element may comprise an electro-optic orvariable reflectance reflective element assembly or cell, which includesan electrochromic medium disposed therein. The electrochromic mediumchanges color or darkens in response to electricity or voltage appliedto or through the conductive layers at either side of the electrochromicmedium. The electrochromic medium may be a solid polymer matrixelectrochromic medium, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,306,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, or other suitablemedium, such as a liquid or solid medium or thin film or the like, suchas the types disclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/793,002,entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, filedFeb. 26, 2001 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), and in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,668,663 and 5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. The electrochromic element may utilize the principlesdisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,140,455; 5,151,816;6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756;5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187;5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 or 4,712,879, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, or as disclosed in the followingpublications: N. R. Lynam, “Electrochromic Automotive Day/NightMirrors”, SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “SmartWindows for Automobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N.R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications of ChromogenicMaterials”, Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices forTransmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Grandquist, EDS., OpticalEngineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporated byreference herein, and in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/92,002,filed Feb. 26, 2001 by Schofield et al. for VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMSINCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869), whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The printed circuit board may include electronic or electrical circuitryfor actuating the variable reflectance of the reflective element and foroperating other electrical or electronic functions supported in therearview mirror assembly. The printed circuit board optionally mayinclude glare sensing and ambient photo sensors and electrochromiccircuitry that automatically dims the reflectivity of the electrochromicmirror element when glare conditions are detected, such as at nighttimeor the like.

Although shown and described as being an electro-optic or electrochromicreflective element, the reflective element of the interior rearviewmirror assembly may otherwise comprise a prismatic reflective element,without affecting the scope of the present invention.

The interior rearview mirror assembly may also include or house aplurality of electrical or electronic devices, such as antennas,including global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, displays, such as shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and 6,329,925, blind spot detection systems,such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 or 5,786,772, transmittersand/or receivers, such as garage door openers, a digital network, suchas described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low head lampcontroller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,093, a memorymirror system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, ahands-free phone attachment, a video device for internal cabinsurveillance and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, maplights, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,321; 5,813,745;5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; or 5,178,448, microphones, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377 and 6,420,975,speakers, a compass, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,212,and/or U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1076), a seat occupancy detector, a tripcomputer, an ONSTAR® system or the like (with all of theabove-referenced patents and applications commonly assigned to DonnellyCorporation, and with the disclosures of all of the referenced patentsand applications being hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties).

Although shown and described above as being positioned on, at orpartially within an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle,the microphone system of the present invention optionally or alternatelymay be positioned on, at or partially within a windshield electronicmodule or windshield integration module or accessory module orattachment or the like positioned at or near the interior rearviewmirror assembly or the windshield of the vehicle. The windshieldelectronic module or attachment may include other accessories orcomponents and may utilize aspects of accessory modules such as of thetypes disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003;6,278,377; 6,420,975; U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 09/792,002,filed Feb. 26, 2001 by Schofield et al. for VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMSINCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-869); andSer. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULARLIGHTING SYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-962); International PublicationNo. WO 01/64481, published Sep. 7, 2001 (Attorney Docket DON01FP-869(PCT)); and/or U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/355,454, filedJan. 31, 2002 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1050), which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference.

The windshield electronic module/accessory module may be positioned ator adjacent to the windshield of the vehicle such that at least aportion of the windshield module is positioned at the windshield. Thewindshield electronic module may attach to the windshield, and may havea view toward the windshield, or may be an extension of a header consoleor the like, such as a windshield module of the types disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,445,287; and in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/232,122,filed Aug. 30, 2002 by Schofield et al. for TIRE INFLATION ASSISTANCEMONITORING SYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1003), which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. Such windshield electronic modules maybe separate and distinct from an interior rearview mirror assembly.Because the windshield electronic module attaches at the windshield areaof the vehicle, such windshield electronic modules/accessory modules arealso particularly subject to potential sound interference due toblowers, fans and/or the like.

Therefore, the present invention provides a microphone assembly forpositioning on, at, adjacent to or within an interior rearview mirrorassembly of a vehicle or on, at or within an accessory or microphonemodule or attachment which may be positioned at or adjacent to or in thevicinity of an interior rearview mirror assembly or windshield or headerportion of a vehicle. The microphone assembly is operable tosubstantially resist air flow to the microphone and to diffuse turbulentair flow around the microphone while providing for a directionalmicrophone system. The present invention provides an acoustic ordiffusing member which includes an outer air flow limiting layer orcanopy for limiting the affects of turbulent air flow around themicrophone by creating a buffer zone and maintaining the pressureaffects out away from the microphone. An inner air flow limitingmaterial or layer may be provided at the inlet ports of the microphoneand spaced from the outer layer or canopy. The present invention alsoprovides a diffusing material between the outer canopy and themicrophone ports or inner air flow limiting layer or layers fordiffusing the air flow that does penetrate the outer air flow limitingmaterial or canopy. The air flow limiting material or layer or layersthus substantially reduces the turbulence affects while minimizing thesize of the diffusing member, in order to enhance the aesthetic qualityof the microphone assembly or system.

The microphone system or assembly of the present invention also mayprovide an acoustic barrier or wall or rib which functions to delaysound waves traveling along and through the diffusing material so as tohave the waves influence the primary and secondary ports of thedirectional microphone at different times and in the right sequence,thereby enhancing the directivity of the microphone. The presentinvention thus functions to substantially physically isolate one side ofthe microphone from the other via a mechanical baffle or acousticbarrier or wall between the fore and aft ports of the microphone. Themicrophone system or assembly of the present invention thus accepts andsubstantially diffuses turbulent air around the microphone and avoidsany unsightly deflectors and the like of the prior art.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments canbe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said mirrorassembly comprising: an accessory; a reflective element having amounting plate at a rearward surface thereof, said mounting plateincluding a first portion of a pocket for at least partially receivingsaid accessory therein; and a bezel, said bezel at least partiallyreceiving said reflective element therein, said bezel including a secondportion of said pocket, said first and second portions of said pocket atleast partially receiving and securing said accessory therebetween whensaid reflective element is at least partially received in said bezel. 2.The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said accessorycomprises a microphone module.
 3. The interior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 2, wherein said second portion comprises an accessory tabextending from said bezel and said first portion comprises a platformextending from said mounting plate.
 4. The interior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 3, wherein said accessory tab extends in overlappingrelationship with said microphone module when said reflective element isat least partially received in said bezel.
 5. The interior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 4, wherein said accessory tab comprises anaperture therethrough for at least partially receiving an audioreceiving portion of said microphone module such that said audioreceiving portion extends at least partially through said aperture whensaid bezel, reflective element and microphone module are assembledtogether.
 6. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 5, whereinsaid accessory tab comprises a flexible tab and flexes to overlap saidmicrophone module, said accessory tab being biased to return toward itsunflexed state when said audio receiving portion is at least partiallyreceived through said aperture.
 7. The interior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 6, wherein said microphone module includes flexible ridges,said accessory tab pressing against said flexible ridges to secure saidmicrophone module between said accessory tab and said platform.
 8. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 2 including an acoustic coverpositioned at least partially over at least one inlet port of saidmicrophone module.
 9. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 8,wherein said acoustic cover comprises a diffusing material and an airflow limiting material positioned at least partially over said diffusingmaterial, said air flow limiting material being configured tosubstantially limit air flow through said air flow limiting material,said diffusing material being configured to space and support said airflow limiting material from said at least one inlet port and tosubstantially diffuse air flow that penetrates said air flow limitingmaterial.
 10. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 8, whereinsaid microphone module comprising a directional microphone having twoinlet ports, said acoustic cover including an acoustic barrierpositioned across said microphone and between said inlet ports, saidacoustic barrier being configured to substantially acoustically isolateone of said inlet ports from the other of said inlet ports.
 11. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein said acousticcover comprises an inner air flow limiting layer at least partially oversaid ports and an outer air flow limiting cover at least partially overand spaced from said inner air flow limiting cover, said air flowlimiting covers being substantially resistant to air permeation.
 12. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said secondportion of said pocket comprises opposite flanges that engagecorresponding grooves along opposite sides of said accessory to securesaid accessory between said flanges and said first portion of saidpocket.
 13. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid accessory includes flexible ridges, at least one of said first andsecond portions of said pocket engaging said flexible ridges to securesaid accessory between said first and second portions.
 14. The interiorrearview mirror assembly of claim 1 including a printed circuit boardmounted to said mounting plate.
 15. The interior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 14 including a housing, said bezel securing to saidhousing to at least partially encase said reflective element, saidmounting plate, said accessory and said printed circuit board withinsaid housing.
 16. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 15,wherein said housing includes a recessed portion for at least partiallyreceiving said pocket and said accessory when said bezel is secured tosaid housing.
 17. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 16,wherein said accessory at least partially protrudes through said secondportion, said accessory being generally flush with said second portionand said housing.
 18. A method for assembling an interior rearviewmirror assembly comprising: providing a bezel portion having a firstportion of an accessory pocket; providing a reflective element having amounting plate on a rear surface thereof, said mounting plate includinga second portion of said accessory pocket; positioning an accessory atone of said first and second portions of said accessory pocket; andassembling said reflective element to said bezel portion, whereby saidaccessory is at least partially received and retained between said firstand second portions as said reflective element is assembled to saidbezel portion.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein positioning anaccessory comprises positioning a microphone module at one of said firstand second portions of said accessory pocket.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein said second portion comprises a platform extending from saidmounting plate and said first portion of said pocket comprises an upperretainer extending from said bezel portion
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein positioning a microphone module comprises positioning amicrophone module on said platform and retaining said microphone moduleon said platform by engaging an upper portion of said microphone modulewith said upper retainer as said reflective element is assembled to saidbezel portion.
 22. The method of claim 19 including providing anacoustic cover at least partially over at least one inlet port of saidmicrophone module.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said microphonemodule comprises a directional microphone having two inlet ports, saidmethod including providing an acoustic barrier positioned across saidmicrophone and between said inlet ports, said acoustic barrier beingconfigured to substantially acoustically isolate one of said inlet portsfrom the other of said inlet ports.
 24. The method of claim 18 includingattaching a casing to said bezel portion.
 25. An interior rearviewmirror system of a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirrorassembly comprising a reflective element and a casing, said interiorrearview mirror assembly being adapted for attachment to an interiorportion of the vehicle; at least one microphone positioned in, at oradjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly and having first andsecond inlet ports for receiving audible signals from within the vehiclecabin; an acoustic cover positioned over said first and second inletports of said at least one microphone, said acoustic cover comprising anouter air flow limiting layer and at least one inner air flow limitinglayer, said at least one inner air flow limiting layer being disposed atleast partially over said first and second inlet ports and said outerair flow limiting layer being disposed at least partially over andspaced from said at least one inner air flow limiting layer and defininga space therebetween, said outer air flow limiting layer and said atleast one inner air flow limiting layer being configured tosubstantially limit air flow therethrough; and an acoustic barrierpositioned across said microphone and between said first and secondinlet ports, said acoustic barrier being configured to substantiallyacoustically isolate said first inlet port from said second inlet port.26. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein saidacoustic cover comprises an outer rigid cover, said outer air flowlimiting layer being attached to said outer rigid cover.
 27. Theinterior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said at least oneinner air flow limiting layer comprises first and second inner air flowlimiting layers, said first inner air flow limiting layer being disposedat said first inlet port and said second inner air flow limiting layerbeing disposed at said second inlet port.
 28. The interior rearviewmirror system of claim 27, wherein said first and second inner air flowlimiting layers comprise different materials.
 29. The interior rearviewmirror system of claim 25, wherein said acoustic barrier defines a gapbetween a distal end of said acoustic barrier from said microphone andan inner surface of said outer air flow limiting layer.
 30. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said space between saidinner and outer air flow limiting layers comprises a diffusing materialfor diffusing air flow that permeates said outer air flow limitinglayer.
 31. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein saidspace between said inner and outer air flow limiting layers comprisesair.
 32. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein saidouter air flow limiting layer comprises a hydrophobic characteristic.33. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said atleast one microphone is positioned at least partially within saidinterior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirrorassembly defining a pocket for at least partially receiving and securingsaid at least one microphone when said reflective element is at leastpartially received in said interior rearview mirror assembly.
 34. Theinterior rearview mirror system of claim 33, wherein said reflectiveelement has a mounting plate at a rearward surface thereof, saidmounting plate at least partially defining said pocket, said microphonebeing received within said pocket at said mounting plate and retainedtherein during assembly of said mirror assembly.
 35. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 34, wherein said interior rearviewmirror assembly includes a bezel, said bezel at least partiallyreceiving said reflective element therein and retaining said microphonewithin said pocket.
 36. An interior rearview mirror system of a vehiclecomprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflectiveelement and a casing, said interior rearview mirror assembly beingadapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle; at leastone microphone positioned in, at or adjacent to said interior rearviewmirror assembly and having at least one inlet port for receiving audiblesignals from within the vehicle cabin; and an acoustic cover positionedat least partially over said at least one inlet port of said at leastone microphone, said acoustic cover comprising a diffusing material andan air flow limiting material positioned at least partially over saiddiffusing material, said air flow limiting material being configured tosubstantially limit air flow through said air flow limiting material andsaid diffusing material being configured to space and support said airflow limiting material from said at least one inlet port and tosubstantially diffuse air flow that penetrates said air flow limitingmaterial.
 37. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 36, whereinsaid at least one microphone comprises a directional microphone.
 38. Theinterior rearview mirror system of claim 37, wherein said at least oneinlet port comprises separated inlet ports.
 39. The interior rearviewmirror system of claim 38 including an acoustic barrier positionedacross said microphone and between said inlet ports, said acousticbarrier being configured to substantially acoustically isolate one ofsaid inlet ports from the other of said inlet ports.
 40. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 39, wherein said directional microphoneis positioned at and at least partially within an upper region of saidcasing of said interior rearview mirror assembly.
 41. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 39, wherein said diffusing material ispositioned at each side of said acoustic barrier to diffuse air flow ateither side of said acoustic barrier.
 42. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 36, wherein said at least one microphone is positionedat and at least partially within an upper region of said casing of saidinterior rearview mirror assembly.
 43. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 36, wherein said at least one microphone is positionedat least partially within said interior rearview mirror assembly andsaid acoustic cover is positioned at least partially outside of saidinterior rearview mirror assembly.
 44. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 36, wherein said acoustic cover comprises a textilematerial.
 45. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 44, whereinsaid acoustic cover comprises a woven textile material.
 46. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 45, wherein said acoustic covercomprises a multi-dimensional woven textile material.
 47. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 46, wherein said acoustic covercomprises a three dimensional woven textile material.
 48. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 36, wherein said at least one microphoneis in electrical communication with at least one accessory of thevehicle.
 49. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 48, whereinsaid at least one accessory comprises at least one of a hands free cellphone system, an audio recording system and an emergency communicationsystem.
 50. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 36, whereinsaid at least one microphone is one of (i) included in said interiorrearview mirror assembly, (ii) positioned adjacent to said interiorrearview mirror assembly, (iii) included in an attachment to saidinterior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) included in a moduleassociated with said interior rearview mirror assembly.
 51. The interiorrearview mirror system of claim 36, wherein said at least one microphoneis positioned at least partially within said interior rearview mirrorassembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly defining a pocket forat least partially receiving and securing said at least one microphonewhen said reflective element is at least partially received in saidinterior rearview mirror assembly.
 52. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 51, wherein said reflective element has a mounting plateat a rearward surface thereof, said mounting plate at least partiallydefining said pocket, said microphone being received within said pocketat said mounting plate and retained therein during assembly of saidmirror assembly.
 53. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 52,wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a bezel, saidbezel at least partially receiving said reflective element therein andretaining said microphone within said pocket.
 54. An interior rearviewmirror system of a vehicle comprising: an interior rearview mirrorassembly comprising a reflective element and a casing, said interiorrearview mirror assembly being adapted for attachment to an interiorportion of the vehicle; a microphone system positioned at, near orpartially within said interior rearview mirror assembly and comprising:a directional microphone having separated inlet ports for receivingaudible signals from within the vehicle cabin; a diffuser positioned atleast partially over said inlet ports of said directional microphone,said diffuser being configured to substantially diffuse air flow aroundsaid inlet ports; and an acoustic barrier positioned between said inletports and configured to substantially acoustically isolate one of saidinlet ports from the other of said inlet ports, said diffuser beingpositioned at both sides of said acoustic barrier and over therespective inlet ports to diffuse air flow at both sides of saidacoustic barrier, said acoustic barrier being adapted to delay receptionof a sound signal by one of said inlet ports relative to the other ofsaid inlet ports, said sound signal traveling through said diffuser. 55.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 54, wherein said diffusercomprises a diffusing material and an air flow limiting materialpositioned over said diffusing material, said air flow limiting materialbeing configured to substantially limit air flow through said air flowlimiting material and said diffusing material, said diffusing materialbeing configured to diffuse air flow that penetrates said air flowlimiting material and to space and support said air flow limitingmaterial from said inlet ports.
 56. The interior rearview mirror systemof claim 55, wherein said diffuser comprises a textile material.
 57. Theinterior rearview mirror system of claim 56, wherein said diffusercomprises a woven textile material.
 58. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 57, wherein said diffuser comprises a multi-dimensionalwoven textile material.
 59. The interior rearview mirror system of claim58, wherein said diffuser comprises a three dimensional woven textilematerial.
 60. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 54, whereinsaid directional microphone is positioned at least partially within saidinterior rearview mirror assembly and said diffuser is positioned atleast partially outside of said interior rearview mirror assembly. 61.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 54, wherein said microphonesystem is positioned at an upper portion of said interior rearviewmirror assembly.
 62. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 54,wherein said directional microphone is in electrical communication withat least one accessory of the vehicle.
 63. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 62, wherein said at least one accessory comprises atleast one of a hands free cell phone system, an audio recording systemand an emergency communication system.
 64. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 54, wherein said microphone system is one of (i)included in said interior rearview mirror assembly, (ii) positionedadjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly, (iii) included in anattachment to said interior rearview mirror assembly, and (iv) includedin a module associated with said interior rearview mirror assembly. 65.The interior rearview mirror system of claim 54, wherein saiddirectional microphone is positioned in said interior rearview mirrorassembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly defining a pocket forat least partially receiving and securing said directional microphonewhen said reflective element is at least partially received in saidinterior rearview mirror assembly.
 66. The interior rearview mirrorsystem of claim 65, wherein said interior rearview mirror assemblyincludes a bezel, said bezel at least partially receiving saidreflective element therein, said reflective element having a mountingplate at a rearward surface thereof, said mounting plate including afirst portion of said pocket, said bezel defining a second portion ofsaid pocket.
 67. An microphone system of a vehicle comprising: awindshield accessory module having a housing, said windshield accessorymodule at least having a portion at, and with a view towards, thewindshield of the vehicle; a microphone positioned in, on, at oradjacent to said housing and having first and second inlet ports forreceiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin; and an acousticcover positioned at least partially over said first and second inletports of said microphone, said acoustic cover comprising an inner airflow limiting layer positioned at least partially over said first andsecond inlet ports and an outer air flow limiting layer positioned atleast partially over said inner layer, said outer layer and said innerlayer being configured to substantially limit air flow therethrough,said outer layer being spaced from said inner layer and defining a spacebetween said outer layer and said inner layer; and an acoustic barrierpositioned along said microphone and between said first and second inletports, said acoustic barrier being configured to substantiallyacoustically isolate said first inlet port from said second inlet port.68. The microphone system of claim 67, wherein said space between saidouter layer and said inner layer comprises a diffusing materialconfigured to space and support said outer layer from said inner layerand to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates said outer layer.69. The microphone system of claim 68, wherein said outer layer and saiddiffusing material comprise a multi-dimensional textile material. 70.The microphone system of claim 69, wherein said outer layer, saiddiffusing material and said inner layer comprises a three dimensionalwoven textile material.
 71. The microphone system of claim 67, whereinsaid outer layer comprises a non-woven textile material.
 72. Themicrophone system of claim 67, wherein said acoustic barrier and saidouter layer define a gap therebetween.
 73. The microphone system ofclaim 67, wherein said space between said outer layer and inner layercomprises air.
 74. The microphone system of claim 67, wherein said outerlayer comprises a hydrophobic characteristic.